The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-09-28
THE EVANSVILLE REUNION
Patriotic Letters from Gov. Gordon, of Ca,
and Senator CullOm, of Ills,

Patriotic Letters from Gov. Gordon, of Ca,
and Senator CullOm, of Ills.
EVANSVILLE. Ind. September 24.-At the
close OF the Blue and Gray Reunion here
yesterday evening letters were read from
Gov. j. B. Gordon, United States Senator s.
NJ. Cullom, Gen. James Longstreet, Hon.
Roscoe Conkling, Gen. John @. Black, Gen.
Basil W. Duke and Col. w. G. Goodloe.
The two first named are representatives
from the two sections. and are as follows:
"PHILADELPRIA, September IS, 1887.
Gen. James M. Shackelford and Committee
of Reunion of the Blue and the Gray,
Evansville:
MY DEAR SIRs: Official duties of the
most pressing character, imposed by cir
cumstances which / could not control
compel my immediate return to Georgia
1t is one of the serious Disappointment of
my life that am thus denied the privilege
of attending the reunion of the Blue and
Gray at Evansville, Ind It was my desire
and purpose, after Witnessing the oelebra-
ton Of the Constitutional Centennial at
Phiiaoel pills. the present week, 10 retura
by way of Evansville, and by my presencs
at least, express the earnest aud fervent
sympathy 1 feel with the heaven inspired
effort there to be made to Danish from the
hearts of brave men the last vestlge of
eemity or suspicion, and weld them into
a common brotherhood, as sacred as truth
and as enduring as time.
''This is an object immeasursbly above
The petty partisan aims and ambitions Of
men, and its accomplishment should co.
list the prayers and efforts of good men
and women IN fil our country. For M
self 1 hsd rattle b. an humble instrument
in tine hands C. 'rOvIdence, to obliterate
the dissensions owing out of our late
civil war. thsr y occupy the highest
throne in the Uc verse. This result is the
benefcent ter Dey OF the reunion to
achieve, and therefore it IS with pain that
l relinquish the hope OF participating in
the OCCASION.
Trusting that the reunion will De enjoyed
by all, and that the high and generous
purpose of Its promoters will meet rlch
truition I am, my dear sirs, sincerelysand
faithfully" }. 3. GORDON.
'EPRIKGFIFLD, ILL.,, September II, 1887.
Gen. James NJ. ShackelfoFd and Invitation
Committee, Evansville, Ind.
Ny DEAR SIRs:-Your favor OF the I'd
instant requesting my acceptance of an in
vitatiOn of your committee to attend pro-
posed reunion of the Union and Rebel
soldiers of the late war, to take place in
your city on the 31st to Esd instant inclu-
sive. has been received.
FIe&Se accept my thanRs lot your very
courteous but pressing Invitation. 1 have
not answered sooner because hoped for
several days after receiving it that might
be able to attend, but End that my en-
Zements are such that l shall not be able
to do so. Such a reunion as proposed 'of
the blue and the gray" moy be made of
value to the country not by yielding any
principle for which the Unicn army fought
or the National Government commended,
but by cultivsting disposition on the
part of all American citizens to put away
auImo sities and chsrishing a spirit of har-
moDy and peace between the sections in
the interest of the prosperity of the people,
with malice toward none I regard it as
the duty of all the people to 90 what can
reasonably be done to make our nation
not only q union of States, bat union of
hearts and hands as we'll, holding fast to
the principles on which our union rests,
and also TO g grateful recollection OF the
brave and patriotic men who. fought for
the Union, on the field of battle
Trusting that your reunion may be Q
grand success, am, with respect,
Very truly yours,
S. NJ. CUL4oN."